Alpha F3D SkyKnight.....alternate config?

[OBIO]

How many of you use the original config for the Alpha SkyKnight and how many use the included alternate config...which reflects the up-thrusted engines that were used on the later F3Ds? I still have the original, under-powered config in place and find that the plane takes off like a snail in a hurry. Just want some feed back on how the alternate FDE feels during flight....well I suppose I could always just swap them around and take the bird for a flight or three and find out on my own....too many days of too little sleep and my brain is starting to resemble those mashed taters left over from Thanksgiving that have been shoved to the back of the fridge.

OBIO

 

[SSI01]

Don't knock 'em - if they're fermented they may have quite a kick.

I have the F3D and will take it for a hop to check out what you have posted.:salute:

 

[OBIO]

I swapped in the advanced flight dynamics set....and still the spool up time on the engine is insanely slow. Takes "forever" to get the bird rolling on the ground. This slow spool up/down time really makes flying this bird a bit of a chore.....so I think I will open the air files and give the plane faster spool times.

OBIO

 

[Ferry_vO]

This slow spool up/down time really makes flying this bird a bit of a chore.....

From what I've read, it makes it very realistic that way. When you are on the ground it will litterally take minutes to go from idle to full power!

 

[OBIO]

From what I've read, it makes it very realistic that way. When you are on the ground it will litterally take minutes to go from idle to full power!

While it may be realistic, it makes flying the way I do much harder. I don't fly at 20 thousand feet...I fly at 2500 feet so I can see the terrain. And when I need to add more power to get up over a mountain range, and it takes a half an hour to gain the needed power....guess where my plane ends up.....in the side of the mountain!

OBIO

 

[harrybasset]

There is an excellent book about taking the Skyknight to war in Korea. It is "Night Fighters over Korea" by G G O'Rourke from the Naval Institute Press. It gives a full and frank account of the trials and tribulations of flying an underpowered, unappreciated specialised combat aircraft. The Navy didn't want the Skynight as it couldn't carry bombs and with its canted down jetpipes it would tear up tarmac runways and taxi tracks. The USMC finally found a niche for it. It is well worth reading this book.